Arrest follows drama on city streets as armed police search for man

Armed police were seen in Chester city centre this morning as they hunted for a suspicious male (Image: Geoff Meierhans)

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A 63-year-old man has been arrested following a dramatic search by armed police for a suspicious male on the streets of Chester city centre this morning.

Cheshire police have been assisting North Wales Constabulary in their enquiries to find a man involved in an incident relating to a gun which was fired in the early hours of this morning (Monday) seven miles away in the rural village of Higher Kinnerton, Flintshire.

Armed officers were seen in the Bridge Street and Eastgate Street area of Chester, and the police helicopter was also spotted overhead.

An official statement from North Wales police explained that initial information suggested the man may have travelled to the Chester area, which is why there was an increased level of police activity as enquiries were conducted to locate the man.

A Cheshire police spokesperson confirmed they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident, following the arrest, and the matter has been referred back to North Wales police,

“Police believe a firearm was discharged in the early hours of this morning in the vicinity of Kinnerton Road, Kinnerton, and officers are currently liaising with Cheshire police to locate a man in relation to the incident.

"A number of lines of inquiry are currently being followed to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident," the spokesperson said.

A Kinnerton resident, who asked not to be named, said around 10 police cars could be seen in the area at 7am, describing it as 'massive poilice activity'.

Police blocked off Kinnerton Road with two squad cars and a village field has also been taped off.

Staff from Yo! Sushi on Bridge Street, who watched the drama unfold right outside their window, said it was 'quite scary' to see armed police carrying weapons right in front of them.

"It's not what you expect to see on an normal Monday morning at work," one staff member told The Chronicle.

“A number of lines of inquiry are currently being followed to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Earlier Chief Inspector Dave Owens, of North Wales Police, said: “The public may be aware of a police presence in Kinnerton Road, Kinnerton.

“We are currently dealing with an ongoing incident and will provide more information when we are in a position to do so.”